{"id":17519,"date":"2026-07-26T06:21:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-26T01:21:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=17519"},"modified":"2026-07-26T06:21:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-26T01:21:13","slug":"boyfriend-pretends-to-die-in-crash-then-calls-girlfriend-manipulative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=17519","title":{"rendered":"Boyfriend Pretends To Die In Crash, Then Calls Girlfriend Manipulative"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">We\u2019ve heard about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/relationships\/\" class=\" staff-link\">relationship<\/a> pranks that go a step too far. But what happens when a partner intentionally lies, and then expects you to laugh it off as a joke?<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">That\u2019s the nightmare <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/relationships\/couples\/\" class=\" staff-link\">scenario<\/a> one 21-year-old woman recently found herself in. After a night out, her boyfriend\u2019s mother sent a harrowing text saying he didn\u2019t survive a car crash. She instantly went into panic mode.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sharing her story <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/BestofRedditorUpdates\/comments\/1v0d1dk\/bf_faked_death_and_then_called_my_reaction\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">online<\/a>, she said she suffered a severe self-harm relapse. But moments later, her boyfriend walked through the door completely fine.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">When the truth finally came out, he offered no apologies and started blaming his girlfriend for being too emotional.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">As one person in the comments noted: \u201cYou couldn\u2019t hold a candle to this guy in the drama stakes.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>A woman received a text message from her boyfriend\u2019s mother saying that he had passed away<\/h3>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"fake-01\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=fake-01.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Boyfriend Pulls A Cruel Prank, Then Blames Girlfriend For How She Reacted\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?media_id=fake-01\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fake-01.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10947320\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fake-01.jpg\" alt=\"A woman covers her face with her hands, looking distressed after a cruel boyfriend prank.\" width=\"700\" height=\"502\" title=\"A woman covers her face with her hands, looking distressed after a cruel boyfriend prank.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Image credits: <a class=\"author-name whitespace-nowrap inline-flex items-center text-neutral-content visited:text-neutral-content-weak focus-visible:-outline-offset-1 a no-visited no-underline hover:no-underline cursor-pointer staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.magnific.com\/premium-photo\/she-cant-believe-this-has-happened-cropped-shot-attractive-young-woman-crying-against-green-background_27988114.htm#from_element=cross_selling__photo\" aria-label=\"Author: throwra186252\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-expanded=\"false\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\" dir=\"auto\">The Yuri Arcurs Collection (not the actual photo)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>She later realized that he was trying to cover up for his bad decisions<\/h3>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"271c21b1-6a11-48ef-ac52-80f98a640690.pn\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=271c21b1-6a11-48ef-ac52-80f98a640690.png\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Boyfriend Pulls A Cruel Prank, Then Blames Girlfriend For How She Reacted\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?media_id=271c21b1-6a11-48ef-ac52-80f98a640690.pn\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/271c21b1-6a11-48ef-ac52-80f98a640690.png\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10946617\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/271c21b1-6a11-48ef-ac52-80f98a640690.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of text detailing a boyfriend's cruel prank, faking d***h and blaming his girlfriend's reaction.\" width=\"700\" height=\"377\" title=\"Screenshot of text detailing a boyfriend's cruel prank, faking d***h and blaming his girlfriend's reaction.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"author_d3e2664f9d0b1e14e2a67331426ee6f1\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=author_d3e2664f9d0b1e14e2a67331426ee6f1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/author_d3e2664f9d0b1e14e2a67331426ee6f1.jpg\" alt=\"Screenshot of text revealing the girlfriend's history and struggles with s*******m, following a boyfriend's cruel prank.\" title=\"Screenshot of text revealing the girlfriend's history and struggles with s*******m, following a boyfriend's cruel prank.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"author_53e029e11f2465073d4f1a72d8d19c57\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=author_53e029e11f2465073d4f1a72d8d19c57.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/author_53e029e11f2465073d4f1a72d8d19c57.jpg\" alt=\"Screenshot of text explaining the boyfriend's past relationship, where his ex played mind games, impacting his reaction.\" title=\"Screenshot of text explaining the boyfriend's past relationship, where his ex played mind games, impacting his reaction.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"author_ada37129c2ce5d60fa92c7bc6a344332\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=author_ada37129c2ce5d60fa92c7bc6a344332.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/author_ada37129c2ce5d60fa92c7bc6a344332.jpg\" alt=\"Screenshot of text where the girlfriend describes her patient and communicative nature, despite the boyfriend's cruel prank.\" title=\"Screenshot of text where the girlfriend describes her patient and communicative nature, despite the boyfriend's cruel prank.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"author_0687f51318eb1756aeb2d8579e3a8156\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=author_0687f51318eb1756aeb2d8579e3a8156.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/author_0687f51318eb1756aeb2d8579e3a8156.jpg\" alt=\"A screenshot showing text about a boyfriend out drinking and not coming home, causing girlfriend concern. Cruel prank context.\" title=\"A screenshot showing text about a boyfriend out drinking and not coming home, causing girlfriend concern. Cruel prank context.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"author_52bd5885f89869e78665e2d95cae5f16\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=author_52bd5885f89869e78665e2d95cae5f16.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/author_52bd5885f89869e78665e2d95cae5f16.jpg\" alt=\"A screenshot showing text about a girlfriend waking to missed calls from her boyfriend's mother. Cruel prank setup.\" title=\"A screenshot showing text about a girlfriend waking to missed calls from her boyfriend's mother. Cruel prank setup.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"author_7b071fa6e41d23f275788a35b3a8d3b8\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=author_7b071fa6e41d23f275788a35b3a8d3b8.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/author_7b071fa6e41d23f275788a35b3a8d3b8.jpg\" alt=\"A screenshot showing text about a girlfriend's worry and believing her boyfriend died in a crash. Girlfriend reaction to prank.\" title=\"A screenshot showing text about a girlfriend's worry and believing her boyfriend died in a crash. Girlfriend reaction to prank.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"fake-02\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=fake-02.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Boyfriend Pulls A Cruel Prank, Then Blames Girlfriend For How She Reacted\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?media_id=fake-02\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fake-02.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10947323\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fake-02.jpg\" alt=\"A boyfriend looking intensely at a crying girlfriend, highlighting her reaction to a cruel prank. Relationship issues.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" title=\"A boyfriend looking intensely at a crying girlfriend, highlighting her reaction to a cruel prank. Relationship issues.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Image credits: <a class=\"author-name whitespace-nowrap inline-flex items-center text-neutral-content visited:text-neutral-content-weak focus-visible:-outline-offset-1 a no-visited no-underline hover:no-underline cursor-pointer staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.magnific.com\/free-photo\/wife-husband-having-fight_13944319.htm#fromView=search&amp;page=1&amp;position=15&amp;uuid=41fdc3e9-136b-4c7b-b0f2-0cd24c279f06&amp;query=angry+man+conversation+woman\" aria-label=\"Author: throwra186252\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-expanded=\"false\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\" dir=\"auto\">magnific (not the actual photo)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"author_e1225ebf60f1a0c70db02f453b79a1df\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=author_e1225ebf60f1a0c70db02f453b79a1df.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/author_e1225ebf60f1a0c70db02f453b79a1df.jpg\" alt=\"A screenshot showing text detailing the girlfriend's grief and emotional relapse after the cruel prank. Girlfriend's reaction.\" title=\"A screenshot showing text detailing the girlfriend's grief and emotional relapse after the cruel prank. Girlfriend's reaction.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"author_ba1c1b13c007c46a5e47073cf8ca6406\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=author_ba1c1b13c007c46a5e47073cf8ca6406.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/author_ba1c1b13c007c46a5e47073cf8ca6406.jpg\" alt=\"A cruel prank text, boyfriend blames girlfriend for her reaction to a terrible prank.\" title=\"A cruel prank text, boyfriend blames girlfriend for her reaction to a terrible prank.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"author_728ee0cc54829ab8b676ce2b79f6d03e\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=author_728ee0cc54829ab8b676ce2b79f6d03e.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/author_728ee0cc54829ab8b676ce2b79f6d03e.jpg\" alt=\"Boyfriend blames girlfriend for her reaction, highlighting the cruel prank and his manipulative behavior.\" title=\"Boyfriend blames girlfriend for her reaction, highlighting the cruel prank and his manipulative behavior.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"author_ce51d3692a39d82b4e16d46823c561e1\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=author_ce51d3692a39d82b4e16d46823c561e1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/author_ce51d3692a39d82b4e16d46823c561e1.jpg\" alt=\"Cruel prank fallout: boyfriend blames girlfriend, escalating the situation by suggesting therapy.\" title=\"Cruel prank fallout: boyfriend blames girlfriend, escalating the situation by suggesting therapy.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"author_d9c8d74f76f927027149abdabb7eb33f\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=author_d9c8d74f76f927027149abdabb7eb33f.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/author_d9c8d74f76f927027149abdabb7eb33f.jpg\" alt=\"Girlfriend\u00b9s reaction to the cruel prank, boyfriend blames her for his actions.\" title=\"Girlfriend\u00b9s reaction to the cruel prank, boyfriend blames her for his actions.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"author_e1b1abb06d5dbd51e47b4d84259aa430\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=author_e1b1abb06d5dbd51e47b4d84259aa430.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/author_e1b1abb06d5dbd51e47b4d84259aa430.jpg\" alt=\"Boyfriend blames girlfriend: she\u00b9s unsure what to do after a cruel prank.\" title=\"Boyfriend blames girlfriend: she\u00b9s unsure what to do after a cruel prank.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Image credits: <a class=\"author-name whitespace-nowrap inline-flex items-center text-neutral-content visited:text-neutral-content-weak focus-visible:-outline-offset-1 a no-visited no-underline hover:no-underline cursor-pointer staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/user\/throwra186252\/\" aria-label=\"Author: throwra186252\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-expanded=\"false\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\" dir=\"auto\">throwra186252<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Emotional manipulation tactics that severely harm the victim<\/h3>\n<p>In this story, the author\u2019s boyfriend made her believe that he had passed away in a severe car crash. When she reacted emotionally and eventually got angry that he had lied, he told her she was \u201cruining the joke\u201d and trying to \u201cguilt\u201d him.<\/p>\n<p>To deflect accountability, he turned the tables completely, labeling her natural trauma response as \u201cmanipulative.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>These phrases are a common manipulation tactic that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/topics\/mental-health\" class=\" staff-link\">mental health<\/a> professionals call <a href=\"https:\/\/harbormentalhealth.com\/2025\/10\/31\/darvo-manipulation-how-to-spot-and-protect-yourself\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">DARVO<\/a>. Coined by psychologist Dr. Jennifer Freyd in the 1990s, DARVO is a documented approach where those confronted with wrongdoing instantly Deny the act, Attack the accuser, and Reverse the roles of Victim and Offender.<\/p>\n<p>It combines elements of gaslighting and blame-shifting.<\/p>\n<p>Some experts also believe these are traits of narcissism. \u201cBy denying their actions, attacking the person confronting them, and flipping the roles of victim and offender, the narcissist effectively redirects attention away from their own actions, often causing doubt in the victim\u2019s claims,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/protecting-yourself-from-darvo-abusive-behavior-7562730\" target=\"_blank\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">says<\/a> Bayu Prihandito, founder of Life Architekture and certified psychology expert.<\/p>\n<p>He adds: \u201cThe psychology behind DARVO is rooted in a strong need for self-preservation and control. They will often employ this strategy to protect their ego and maintain their desired self-image at all costs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When this form of manipulation takes hold, victims often end up internalizing a twisted narrative. They start to believe they are the villain of their own story and convince themselves that they somehow caused or deserved the mistreatment.<\/p>\n<p>Enduring this constant cycle of blame-shifting takes a devastating toll on mental health.<\/p>\n<p>Over time, it erodes a person\u2019s self-worth and reality, triggering deep anxiety, depression, and relentless self-doubt. Trapped in a state of helplessness, victims can lose trust in their own judgment \u2014 and eventually, lose touch with their true sense of self.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe victim develops a pseudo personality that echoes and repeats the narcissist\u2019s false self \u2014 their grandiose narrative of themselves,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/protecting-yourself-from-darvo-abusive-behavior-7562730\" target=\"_blank\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">says<\/a> Avigail Lev, PsyD, founder of Bay Area CBT Center and CBTonline.<\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"getty-images-haH2s8Olm0g-unsplash\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=getty-images-haH2s8Olm0g-unsplash.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Boyfriend Pulls A Cruel Prank, Then Blames Girlfriend For How She Reacted\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?media_id=getty-images-haH2s8Olm0g-unsplash\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/getty-images-haH2s8Olm0g-unsplash.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10953994\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/getty-images-haH2s8Olm0g-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"A woman is crying, covering her face with her hands, looking distressed due to her boyfriend's cruel prank.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" title=\"A woman is crying, covering her face with her hands, looking distressed due to her boyfriend's cruel prank.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Image credits: <a class=\"author-name whitespace-nowrap inline-flex items-center text-neutral-content visited:text-neutral-content-weak focus-visible:-outline-offset-1 a no-visited no-underline hover:no-underline cursor-pointer staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.magnific.com\/premium-photo\/she-cant-believe-this-has-happened-cropped-shot-attractive-young-woman-crying-against-green-background_27988114.htm#from_element=cross_selling__photo\" aria-label=\"Author: throwra186252\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-expanded=\"false\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\" dir=\"auto\">Getty Images (not the actual photo)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>It\u2019s cruel, to say the least, to blame a victim for a physiological trauma response<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/voicetoheart.ca\/self-harm-relapse\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Studies<\/a> show that severe emotional shock (such as sudden, unexpected grief) activates the brain\u2019s fight-or-flight response. It can cause temporary cognitive collapse and trigger old behaviors, such as self-harm, even after years of recovery.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRelapse doesn\u2019t mean failure, it signals that emotional needs are not being met\u2026 Warning signs can emerge suddenly or gradually, triggered by stress, trauma, conflict, or worsening mental health conditions like depression or anxiety,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/voicetoheart.ca\/self-harm-relapse\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">says<\/a> Viviane Silva, a clinical social worker and psychotherapist.<\/p>\n<p>Expecting someone to maintain perfect emotional composure while processing traumatic grief isn\u2019t just unrealistic \u2014 it\u2019s medically unfounded.<\/p>\n<p>Yet, rather than offering support during a mental health crisis he directly caused, the author\u2019s partner attempted to minimize his actions by hiding behind a classic shield: framing the entire ordeal as a \u201charmless prank.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ask any expert or sane person, and they will tell you that a prank requires mutual enjoyment.<\/p>\n<p>It crosses an unforgivable line the moment it targets someone\u2019s physical body, creates actual danger, or destroys property. At its core, a genuine prank is completely harmless. A healthy joke should be lighthearted, leaving the person who was tricked feeling amused rather than terrified, humiliated, or distressed.<\/p>\n<p>For anyone navigating this level of emotional distress, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/protecting-yourself-from-darvo-abusive-behavior-7562730\" target=\"_blank\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">experts<\/a> emphasize that the first step toward recovery is breaking the cycle of isolation and self-doubt.<\/p>\n<p>Victims should trust their instincts and document what occurred. Re-establishing firm personal boundaries is critical. Reaching out to trauma-informed therapists or trusted support networks also provides a safe space to process the shock.<\/p>\n<p>And when a partner repeatedly dismisses trauma responses, walking away is often the healthiest choice.<\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"getty-images-8s3BhcGnXAc-unsplash\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=getty-images-8s3BhcGnXAc-unsplash.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Boyfriend Pulls A Cruel Prank, Then Blames Girlfriend For How She Reacted\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?media_id=getty-images-8s3BhcGnXAc-unsplash\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/getty-images-8s3BhcGnXAc-unsplash.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10953991\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/getty-images-8s3BhcGnXAc-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"A young woman appears sad and contemplative, lit by a streak of sunlight, reflecting on a cruel prank.\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" title=\"A young woman appears sad and contemplative, lit by a streak of sunlight, reflecting on a cruel prank.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Image credits: <a class=\"author-name whitespace-nowrap inline-flex items-center text-neutral-content visited:text-neutral-content-weak focus-visible:-outline-offset-1 a no-visited no-underline hover:no-underline cursor-pointer staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/a-woman-suffering-from-depression-and-lying-on-floor-with-her-hands-covering-head-on-black-background-8s3BhcGnXAc\" aria-label=\"Author: throwra186252\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-expanded=\"false\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\" dir=\"auto\">Getty Images (not the actual photo)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>People in the comments chimed in with their two cents<\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"Untitled-2-1\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=Untitled-2-1.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Boyfriend Pulls A Cruel Prank, Then Blames Girlfriend For How She Reacted\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?media_id=Untitled-2-1\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-2-1.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10948829\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-2-1.jpg\" alt=\"A cruel prank where a boyfriend blames his girlfriend for reacting to his manipulative behavior, causing emotional distress.\" width=\"700\" height=\"1735\" title=\"A cruel prank where a boyfriend blames his girlfriend for reacting to his manipulative behavior, causing emotional distress.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The woman came back with an update on her relationship status<\/h3>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"fake-03\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=fake-03.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Boyfriend Pulls A Cruel Prank, Then Blames Girlfriend For How She Reacted\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?media_id=fake-03\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fake-03.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10947789\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fake-03.jpg\" alt=\"A man gesturing while talking to a woman, showing the aftermath of a boyfriend's cruel prank and her reaction.\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" title=\"A man gesturing while talking to a woman, showing the aftermath of a boyfriend's cruel prank and her reaction.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Image credits: <a class=\"author-name whitespace-nowrap inline-flex items-center text-neutral-content visited:text-neutral-content-weak focus-visible:-outline-offset-1 a no-visited no-underline hover:no-underline cursor-pointer staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.magnific.com\/free-photo\/couple-arguing-each-other-living-room_5347250.htm#fromView=search&amp;page=1&amp;position=0&amp;uuid=42343613-51bd-4103-a6c8-439a8a830c00&amp;query=couple+conversation+sad\" aria-label=\"Author: throwra186252\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-expanded=\"false\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\" dir=\"auto\">wavebreakmedia_micro (not the actual photo)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>She said she saw too many red flags in her boyfriend and decided to break up<\/h3>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"c4808e72-0948-47bd-8b77-83f4d37e5b33.pn\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=c4808e72-0948-47bd-8b77-83f4d37e5b33.png\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Boyfriend Pulls A Cruel Prank, Then Blames Girlfriend For How She Reacted\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?media_id=c4808e72-0948-47bd-8b77-83f4d37e5b33.pn\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/c4808e72-0948-47bd-8b77-83f4d37e5b33.png\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10947487\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/c4808e72-0948-47bd-8b77-83f4d37e5b33.png\" alt=\"A Reddit post update about a girlfriend breaking up with her boyfriend after his cruel prank.\" width=\"700\" height=\"156\" title=\"A Reddit post update about a girlfriend breaking up with her boyfriend after his cruel prank.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"author_6ee9c311d86a8c7b2eb7d0493c596a19\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=author_6ee9c311d86a8c7b2eb7d0493c596a19.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/author_6ee9c311d86a8c7b2eb7d0493c596a19.jpg\" alt=\"A list detailing reasons for a breakup, including a boyfriend's cruel prank and blaming his girlfriend's reaction.\" title=\"A list detailing reasons for a breakup, including a boyfriend's cruel prank and blaming his girlfriend's reaction.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"author_b85a40744d0bf22042742ee9e92845d3\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=author_b85a40744d0bf22042742ee9e92845d3.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/author_b85a40744d0bf22042742ee9e92845d3.jpg\" alt=\"A screenshot of a paragraph discussing not blaming a boyfriend for a cruel prank and taking responsibility.\" title=\"A screenshot of a paragraph discussing not blaming a boyfriend for a cruel prank and taking responsibility.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"author_4fde5c88636ff5e5aff6db34de8c20fe\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=author_4fde5c88636ff5e5aff6db34de8c20fe.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/author_4fde5c88636ff5e5aff6db34de8c20fe.jpg\" alt=\"A screenshot of a paragraph detailing speaking to a boyfriend's mum after a cruel prank.\" title=\"A screenshot of a paragraph detailing speaking to a boyfriend's mum after a cruel prank.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"author_39188c8ac47239425eb149643afc3ea9\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/boyfriend-fakes-death-calls-reaction-manipulative\/?image_id=author_39188c8ac47239425eb149643afc3ea9.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/author_39188c8ac47239425eb149643afc3ea9.jpg\" alt=\"A screenshot of a paragraph describing a meeting with a boyfriend after a cruel prank, where he became annoyed.\" title=\"A screenshot of a paragraph describing a meeting with a boyfriend after a cruel prank, where he became annoyed.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Image credits: <a class=\"author-name whitespace-nowrap inline-flex items-center text-neutral-content visited:text-neutral-content-weak focus-visible:-outline-offset-1 a no-visited no-underline hover:no-underline cursor-pointer staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/BestofRedditorUpdates\/comments\/1v0d1dk\/bf_faked_death_and_then_called_my_reaction\/\" aria-label=\"Author: throwra186252\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-expanded=\"false\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"whitespace-nowrap\" dir=\"auto\">throwra186252<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Many people in the comments supported her decision<\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Someone in the comments shared their own similar experience<\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n<div id=\"postPoll-10946374\" class=\"post-poll poll-wrapper single-post\" data-poll-viewed=\"false\" data-post-id=\"10946374\" data-main-post-id=\"\" data-poll-id=\"28863\"> <input class=\"post-10946374-poll-value\" type=\"hidden\" value=\"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\"\/> <\/p>\n<div data-bind=\"if: isInitialised()\">\n<div data-bind=\"if: !isLoading() &amp;&amp; isShowingResults\">\n<div class=\"poll-content\">\n<h3 class=\"answered-content-title\">Thanks! 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